Score one for the homebreds, as Louisiana’s own Vicar’s In Trouble went wire-to wire on Saturday at Fair Grounds under Rosie Napravnik to claim the $1 million Grade II Louisiana […]
Score one for the homebreds, as Louisiana’s own Vicar’s In Trouble went wire-to wire on Saturday at Fair Grounds under Rosie Napravnik to claim the $1 million Grade II Louisiana Derby. For three-year-old son of Into Mischief, it was the second graded stakes victory of his career, after previously claiming the Grade III LeCompte Stakes, also at Fair Grounds, back in January. In between those two, Vicar’s In Trouble finished third in the Grade II Risen Star stakes, a race won by Intense Holiday, who happened o be the favorite for the LA Derby.
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Breaking sharply from the #6 post at 3-1, Vicar’s In Trouble took advantage of some bumping coming out of the gate behind him and went right to the lead, under outside pressure from 48-1 longshot Louies Flower. Turning that one back through a half-mile of 47.86, he next held off Rise Up, and went into the far turn with a one-length lead ahead of a tightly bunched pack. Favored Intense Holiday, meanwhile, was steadily working through traffic, and mounted his challenge as they came out of the turn.
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With a rail trip throughout, Napravnik set Vicar's In Trouble down for the stretch drive and he slowly pulled away from the rest, cruising home to win by 3 ½ lengths under steady urging. Intense Holiday, who had to endure some bumping as he made his charge finished second, with In Trouble third, although he would be disqualified to fourth after coming out and making contact with Albano. With the win, Vicar’s In Trouble moves to the top of the Kentucky Derby Challenge points list and all but guarantees himself a spot in the Derby starting gate.
Saturday, January 29 at Gulfstream Park is one of the biggest races of the year: the Pegasus World Cup (G1)! This $3 million race, covering a mile and an eighth on the Gulfstream dirt track, drew a field of nine handicap horses. The eyes of the racing world will be on Gulfstream on Saturday, and you can bet it from the comfort of your own home here in Canada!
The Kentucky Derby trail makes its way to Oklahoma on Friday, December 17 for the Remington Springboard Mile! The race drew a field of nine up-and-coming two-year-olds to go a mile on the main track. The prizes are rich: a $400,000 purse, as well as Road to the Kentucky Derby points (10-4-2-1) for the first four horses across the wire.
The Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), California’s most important Kentucky Derby Prep in December, is coming up on Saturday, December 11! The race features the most promising two-year-olds in California, set to go a mile and a sixteenth over the dirt at Los Alamitos Racecourse. The race offers a purse of $300,000, as well as Road to the Kentucky Derby points, apportioned 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers.
Let's have a look at the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf betting picks and predictions.
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